Today saw Blackbridge face Chedworth in a repeat of the tough preseason game which Blackbridge edged. With a couple of enforced changes meant that the back 4 had 2 new faces in Trickey and Bailey coming in for Hill and Redding from last week. The emphasis was on a better work ethic which last week evaporated in the last 20 mins
The start of the game saw Blackbridge start quickly and were 1-0 up within 10mminutes after a quick throw in from Trickey to Hill saw a ball played diagonally into the box which Hayward did well to win and head across to clark to tap into the goal. The second goal arrived quickly with a flowing team move saw Hayward flick into the net . They were then 3-0 up soon after with another flowing move saw them score a third after Hanna exchange passes and Hanna delivered a pinpoint cross for Hayward to score his second with a bullet header
The team then stepped off the gas and with a number of mislaid passes the Chedworth team grew in confidence and scored a breakaway goal, the Chedworth keeper had to much time and played the ball out which was then hit down the line and the back four were out of shape as their number 9 attacked Hill, beat him too esily and hit a shot which was heading in before Trickey, who was trying to stop it, couldnt help but divert it in the net.
Halftime was soon after and the work rate and application was the focus. The second half saw Blackbridge start unusually sloppy and a number of missed passes created a number of half chances which were not taken, then as seemed to be happening much too often Blackbridge caused their own undoing, Ballinger caught a corner and whilst trying to clear hit the back of Southwell which saw the ball roll into the strikers path for a simple finish. This gave Chedworth fresh impetus and Blackbridge were under pressure. After a couple of harsh words and the team calming down Blackbridge went back to passing football and wasnt long before they got their 4th with Clark scoring after a precision pass from McCarthy. Bull was brought on for Withers in centre midfield and A few minutes later the 5th arrived with McCarthy getting on the score sheet after Hayward had thumped the bar with an attempt Mccarthy was on hand to finish from close range. at this stage Redding and Roberts were brought on for Trickey and Clark with McCarthy slotting in at the back and Roberts and Hanna on the wings. The 6th arrived after Hanna and Bull exchanged passes and Hanna struck low into the corner of the net from Bull's pass
The final couple of minutes saw the sloppiness return with Chedworth grabbing a third after Blackbridge failed to defend a ball into the box and the ball was whipped in and the striker scored with a crisp finish low to the keepers left.
Onto the cup next week, 4 out of 4 so far but still some work to do, however, team ethic and support was clearly evident with the team rallying when at 3-2 to push on.
MOM - Ash Bailey
Donkey - Stu Ballinger
